One of the newest innovations in the process serving industry was developed by local entrepreneur Greg Kellerman of Glen Carbon.

Kellerman, president of Kellerman Investigations, last year rolled out a data automation product for attorneys and process servers designed to reduce their costs and increase efficiency by interfacing their existing case management software through Service Exchange Network — or Serve-X.

Serve-X securely transfers documents over the Internet to and from process servers, which, in most cases, eliminates the need for mailing papers. The technology allows for the transfer of affidavits, invoices and other documents and gives live status updates on case files.

One of Kellerman's process server clients in Chicago called it "one of the best" industry innovations in recent memory. An attorney firm client in Schaumburg praised it for reducing costs.

Kellerman, inclined to be an innovator, said he saw an opening in the industry "so lacking in modern technology."

One of his employees, client support specialist Kim Brown, said when she first began working for Kellerman – before Serve-X -- she was challenged by the "endless stream of legal cases."

"Every word and phrase required precise duplication or cases could fail by examination of counsel or judges," she said.

With Serve-X, Kellerman said duplicate data entry and human error are eliminated and turnaround time is improved.

The best part is that the system is free to users, Kellerman said. His earnings come from a nominal processing fee, he said.

Kellerman said there are already 1,000 process servers nationwide who have the ability to participate in the Serve-X network, and it already interfaces with some attorney case management software.

"But if you use an in-house system, or one that does not yet have an interface, one can be built," he said.

Kellerman has already invested $250,000 into the development of Serve-X, and expects that his total investment will reach $500,000.

To keep interest growing in Serve-X, Kellerman and Brown say they travel to industry trade shows across the country to showcase the product.

Kellerman expects this year that Serve-X will grow to handle approximately 50,000 cases per month. By the time the system is handling 300,000 cases per month, critical mass will have been reached, he said.